The following eulogy is what I had prepared for my mother but never got the chance to give since, at age 90, there are very few people left to offer condolences. It was more an informal affair like that of a visitation with friends coming and going. I was saddened and disappointed that her great life experience couldn’t be shared so it’s here that I fulfill to her my promise we had laughingly agreed to.
“A PRAYER ANSWERED”
Written by Reverend Jim (son)
Mother, you were born February 14, 1920, a Valentine’s baby to your mother and father. “A Prayer Answered”. The only daughter to be born and raised to a hard working father of the railroad in a small town of Kansas.
You were raised under very strict and harsh conditions by your controlling mother but received your outgoing personality from your father, a grandfather I never got to know but would loved to have met and spend young times with. Due to your outgoing personality, you always made friends easily even though your mother always painted a negative approach to life whether it was religious or economic associations.
Even though you met those adverse negative conditions you were able to overcome them through music when you took up the violin and later piano. Music gave you the avenue of escape which, I’m sure, your father was responsible. He was the positive force in your young life.
You graduated from high school and had the opportunity to go the University of Kansas but your mother put a halt to that because she felt it would be a bad influence. Then you had the opportunity to attend secretarial business college in Kansas City and your father stepped in and put his foot down to your mother. You were off to Kansas City and independent freedom from your controlling mother. You loved your father dearly and the visits he would make on the train to come and see you (without your mother, of course). “A Prayer Answered”
One of the greatest disappointments in your life came when your father passed away from a heart attack at the early age of 52. You had, by this time, established yourself with the gas company of Kansas City and lived off the Plaza in an apartment. The gas company is where you were to meet your future husband of many years to come. “A Prayer Answered”
You told me many times that the best decision you ever made was joining the Unity School of Christianity Church where you learned to live a positive life. Living for the day, not the past or future. This positive influence spilled over to both of your sons. I know it influenced my life and still does to this day. “A Prayer Answered”
The second greatest disappointment in your life was the passing of your husband of 47 years. I personally know that you grieved and missed our dad for over 10-years and had always wished you both could have made it to that 50 plus positive relationship you shared in your marital times. You carried on involved in your Women’s Business Association, played volleyball into your early 70’s and your famous Charleston dance performance among many other activities with your many years at the middle school where you were a counselors’ secretary. Let alone the kids and co-workers you had influenced in that position.
Your life was one of the most accomplished and blessed. You and dad raised two fine successful sons, one with a doctorate degree in education and the other an accomplished professional in medical sales. Even though, in these past later years of your life, you maintained a positive outlook I know you had your down times and frustrating challenges with the aging issues of mobility and health but you endured to the end.
Mom, for me it was a pleasure and an honor to be a care giver to you in the last 6-years of your life. We both faced our challenges but I got to know and share with a very fine person and Mother, better than most have had a chance to do. As you would always say, “It was meant to be”. I know you and dad are together again and I look forward to being with you when my time comes.
My mother, born February 14, 1920 and passed peacefully February 22, 2010 at 2:42 pm at 90 years with me at her side, holding her hand through to the end. “A Prayer Answered”
Prayer: “Weep for Me Not” Amen
Internment: Ashes to be spread over fathers’ grave
God bless and God speed
daveyenterprise@yahoo.com
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